Overall score
South Melbourne
56.5/100
St Kilda West
48.5/100
South Melbourne vs St Kilda West, VIC Suburb Comparison
South Melbourne for retirees; St Kilda West for families and beach lifestyle.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
South MelbourneSt Kilda West
Crime rate
South Melbourne
307.0 / 1k
St Kilda West
75.5 / 1k
Nearby amenities
South Melbourne
569
St Kilda West
54
Population
South Melbourne
11,548
St Kilda West
2,951
Metric leadSouth Melbourne 7St Kilda West 42 tiedacross 13 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesSouth Melbourne
- Best for familiesSt Kilda West
- Best for beach lifestyleSt Kilda West
- Best for investmentSt Kilda West
- Best for best valueSt Kilda West
Audience fit
Who each suburb suits — composite scores out of 100
All metrics
Side-by-side scores for every compared metric.
Full comparison table
Exact figures for every metric — winner highlighted in bold.
| Category | South Melbourne | St Kilda West |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 56.5/100 | 48.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 47.8/100 | 55.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 307.0 / 1k | 75.5 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 12 | 8 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 10 | 5 |
| Public transport stops | 45 | 10 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 23.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 569 | 54 |
| Planning activity | 247 | 40 |
| Green cover | 1.9% | 14.9% |
| Population | 11,548 | 2,951 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Comparison summary
South Melbourne reads as an energetic metro established suburb where cafés and local life overlap; St Kilda West is a coastal mid-sized suburb shaped by beach life and outdoor living. St Kilda West leans into coastal living, while South Melbourne feels more inland and suburban in character.
South Melbourne pulls ahead on schools and education options, parks and reserves, and public transport access, whereas St Kilda West is the better pick for housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and a calmer planning outlook.
Investors and value-focused buyers may find South Melbourne the better fit, while retirees, families, and people chasing a beach lifestyle are more likely to prefer St Kilda West.
Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.